Product packaging with releasable fastener

ABSTRACT

A fastener system includes a toy product, a support platform, and a plug that engages a keyhole formed into the product. The plug includes a base and a pronged key extending from the base. The support platform includes a through-hole that permits the passage of the key into the packaging. One or more integrally-formed biasing members are located on the base of the plug to draw the key toward the product and create a secure connection. The pronged key may be formed from a plastic material and configured such that it plastically deforms but remains attached to the key when and predetermined force is applied to the key to pull the key from a misaligned position with respect to the key hole.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward product packaging and, inparticular, to toy product packing including a releasable, reusableproduct fastener.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Products such as toys are generally placed in packaging that providesprotection to the toy, as well as and provides a means to easily displaythe toy. The toys are often held in the packaging by wire tie elements,which surround the toy and are twisted together to hold the toy in placein the packaging. This design works for small toys; however, large toysrequire a significant amount of wire and, because of the shape of thetoys, it may not be practical to place the wire around the toy to retainit in its packaging. In addition, removal of such a large amount andnumber of wire tie elements is tedious and time-consuming. Thus, it isdesirable to create a fastening system that secures a product within itspackaging, but is easily manipulated by a user to remove the producttherefrom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A fastener system for product packaging is disclosed. The systemincludes a product, a support platform, and a plug that engages akeyhole formed into the product. The plug includes a base and a keyextending from the base. The support platform includes a through-holethat permits the passage of the key into the packaging. In operation, aproduct is oriented on one side of the support platform, and the plug isoriented on an opposite side of the support platform. The key isinserted though the packaging (via the through-hole), and into thekeyhole formed in the product. The key is then rotated to misalign itsfingers with the openings in the keyhole, preventing the key's exit fromthe keyhole. Biasing members located on the base of the plug draw thekey toward the product to create a secure connection. With thisconfiguration, a product may be secured within packaging without the useof wire tie fasteners.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a product fastening system inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGD. 2A and 2B illustrate a plug in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention. Specifically, FIG. 2A illustrates an isolated, topperspective view of a plug component of the fastening system inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2Billustrates a bottom perspective view of the plug of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 illustrates a support platform in isolation, showing a close-upof the through-holes.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a portion of a wall forming the product ifFIG. 1. Specifically, FIG. 4A illustrates a side view of the productwall, while FIG. 4B illustrates an interior view of the product wall ofFIG. 4A.

FIGS. 5A illustrates an interior view of the product, showing theplug/key oriented in an unlocked position.

FIG. 5B illustrates an interior view of the product, showing theplug/key oriented in a locked position.

FIG. 6A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the product, showing theinsertion of the key into the keyhole of the product.

FIG. 6B illustrates a rear perspective view of the support platform,showing orientation of the plug in locked/unlocked positions.

FIG. 7 illustrates a plug/key in accordance with another embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side perspective view of a key/plug in accordancewith the present invention, indicating the application of shear forcesthereon.

Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elementsthroughout this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates and exploded view of a product fastening system inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated, thesystem 100 includes a key or plug, a product support or platform 120,and a product 130. By way of example the system 100 may include one ormore plugs 110A, 110B, 110C, each having a stem of a predeterminedlength. The plugs 110A-110C are configured to selectively secure theproduct 130 to the product support 120. Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B(showing top and bottom views, respectively), the plug 110A includes abase 200 and a shaft or stem 210 extending distally from the base 200.The base 200 may be in the form of a plate or disk having a first or topsurface 220 and a second or bottom surface 230. The shaft 210 may bedisposed coaxially with the central axis of the base 200. The distal end240 of the shaft may further include a first finger 250A and a secondfinger 250B collectively defining a keyed end of the shaft 210. The base200 may further include one or more cut-out sections 260 configured topermit gripping of the base utilizing a users fingers. By way ofexample, the base 200 may include a pair of opposed, curved, cut-outsections 260 formed into the periphery of the base.

The plug 110A may further include one or more biasing members. In theembodiment of FIGS. 2A and 2B, the plug 110A may have a first spring270A and a second spring 270B formed into the base 200. The springs270A, 270B may be positioned along the base periphery such that thefirst spring 270A is oriented opposite the second spring 270B. Thebiasing members 270A, 270B apply a force to the product support 120and/or the product 130 to increase the tension between the plug 110A-Cand the product 130 (discussed in greater detail below). While aparticular configuration spring is illustrated as the biasing member270A, 270B, it should be understood other forms of the biasing membercould be utilized such as a flat springs, coil springs, cantileveredsprings, leaf springs, etc.

The product support or platform 120 provides a surface to which theproduct 130 may be secured. The product support 120 typically comprisesa portion of product packaging, e.g., a wall or a display platform, towhich the product 130 is secured. Referring to FIG. 3, the productplatform 120 may be a generally planar element having a first or outersurface 310 and a second or inner surface 320. The planar member mayinclude one or more key ports 330 configured to receive the keyed end ofa respective plug 110A-110C. That is, the key port 330 possesses a shapeand has dimensions suitable to permit the passage of the distal/keyedend 240 of the plug shaft 210, while preventing the passage of the base200 therehrough. As illustrated, the port 330 may possess a generallycircular shape having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter ofthe fingers 250A, 250B, to permit the fingers to pass therethrough.

The product support 120 may further include one or more receptacles orguide tracks configured to receive and/or orient the biasing members270A, 270B on the plug 110A-C. By way of example, the product support120 may include a first guide track 340A and a second guide track 340Boriented opposite the first guide track 340A, across the port 330 (i.e.,each biasing member 270A, 270B may include an associate track 340A, 340Bwith which it mates). The structure of the guide track 340A, 340B may beany suitable for its described purpose. In the illustrated embodiment,the guide tracks 340A, 340B are each defined by a generally rectangularopening that permits a biasing member 270A, 270B to extend through orinto the platform 120. Each guide track 340A, 340B is positioned andsized to receive a corresponding biasing member 270A, 270B, indicatingthe orientation of the plug 110A-C in either a locked or unlockedposition (discussed in greater detail below). The product support 120may be formed from any conventional packaging materials including, butnot limited to, plastic, cardboard, wood, etc.

The product 130, e.g., a toy, is configured to selectively mate with theplugs 110A-C. Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, showing exterior andinterior views the product 130, the product 130 includes a wall 400having a first or exterior side 410 and a second or interior side 420.The wall 400 includes one or more keyholes 430 possessing a shapecomplimentary to that of the distal end 240 of each of the plugs 110A-C.In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the keyhole 430 is agenerally elongated slot that receives the fingers 250A, 250B of theplug 110A-C when properly aligned with the slot. The keyhole 430 may beformed on a pedestal 440 extending distally from the interior surface420 of the product wall 400.

The pedestal 440 may form a corresponding recessed area 450 along theexterior surface 410 of the product wall 400. The height of the pedestal440 is not particularly limited, but is typically is sized to correspondwith the length of the stem 210 extending form the base 200 of the plug(taking into account the thickness of the product wall 400 as well asthe product support 130). By way of example, the pedestal 440 may have aheight corresponding to the stem of plug 110A, or may have a heightcorresponding to the stem of plug 110B (FIG. 1). Alternatively oraddition, no pedestal 440 may be formed into the product wall 400 topermit the keyhole 430 to be generally flush with the product wall 400.Note that for exemplary purposes, all three examples are shown in FIGS.1, 4A, and 4B.

With this configuration, plug 110A-C selectively engages the keyhole 430to secure the product 130 to the support 120. Referring to FIGS. 5A and5B, the stem 210 of the plug 110A-C may be axially inserted into theport 330 of product support 120 and through the keyhole 430 formed inproduct 130. The plug 110A-C may then be selectively rotated from afirst (unlocked) position (FIG. 5A), in which the fingers 250A, 250B ofthe plug generally align with the keyhole 430, to a second (locked)position (FIG. 5B), in which the fingers 250A, 250B of the plug 110A-Care not aligned with the keyhole 430. In the locked position of FIG. 5B,the plug 110A-C is secured to the product 130. To unlock the plug 110A-Cand remove it from the keyhole 430, the plug 110A-C is simply rotated inthe reverse direction until the fingers 250A, 250B of the plug 110A-Conce again align with the slot of keyhole 430. The stem 210 of the plug110A-C is then axially removed from the product 130.

The operation of a fastening system in accordance with the presentinvention is explained with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B. FIG. 6Aillustrates a cross-sectional view of the system in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. The product 130 is positioned on the secondside 320 of the support platform 120, and the plug 110A-C is positionedon the first side 310 of the support platform. The port 330 of thesupport platform 120 is generally aligned with a keyhole 430 of theproduct 130, and the plug 110A-C is axially inserted through the port330 of the support platform 120 and into the keyhole 430 of the product130. The plug 110A-C may then be rotated to move the plug 110A-C (bygripping the cut-out sections 260) from the unlocked position to thelocked position as described above.

Referring to FIG. 6B, illustrating a rear perspective view of thesystem, the plug 110A-C may be rotated utilizing finger cut-out sections260 until the biasing members 270A, 270B align with the guide tracks340A, 340B formed into the product support 120. The biasing members270A, 270B and guide tracks 340A, 340B may be oriented such that matingof the biasing members with the guide tracks indicates the fingers 250A,250B of the plug 110 are oriented in their misaligned/locked positionwith respect to the keyhole 430 of the product 130. The biasing members270A, 270B apply a downward pressure (from the perspective of FIG. 6A)to the plug stem 210, drawing the distal end 240 of the stem downward,toward the interior surface 420 of the product wall 400. This, in turn,increases the frictional forces between the fingers of the plug 110A-Cand the product 130, improving the connection of the product 130 to theproduct support 120. The biasing members 270A, 270B further function asshock absorbers, adjusting to movement of the packaging during transportand stabilizing the product 130.

To release the product 130 from the product support 120, the plug 110 isrotated to displace the biasing members 270A, 270B from the guide tracks340A, 340B until the fingers 250A, 250B are once again axially alignedwith the keyhole 430 of the product 130 as described above. The plug110A-C may then removed from the product 130, which, in turn, may beremoved from the support platform 120.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a fastening system in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the pedestal 440may include one or more stops to prevent over rotation of the plug110A-C, as well as to signal to the user that the plug 110A-C is in itslocked position. Referring to FIG. 7A, the pedestal 440 may include afirst boss 710 and a second boss 720 opposed from the first boss acrossthe keyhole 430. In operation, as shown in FIG. 7B, the plug 110A-C maybe inserted into the keyhole 430 and rotated until the fingers 250A,250B of the plug 110A-C contact the bosses 710, 720. The bosses 710,720, then, prevent over rotation of the plug 110A-C.

The shaft 210 and fingers 250A, 250B of the plug 110A-C may alsoconfigured to prevent the formation of small parts. A “small part” isany object that fits completely into a specially designed test cylinder(2.25 inches long by 1.25 inches wide) that approximates the size of thefully expanded throat of a child under three years old. This specializeddefinition applies to (1) a whole toy or article, (2) a separate part ofa toy, game, or other article, or (3) a piece of a toy or article thatbreaks off during testing that simulates use or abuse by children. If a“small part” fits completely into the specially designed test cylinder,and the toy or product from which it came is intended for use bychildren under three years of age, the toy or product is banned becausethe small part presents a choking hazard.

Thus, toys and products intended for use by children less than threeyears of age must not release pieces that fit completely into the smallparts cylinder after impact, flexure, torque, tension and compressiontesting. These tests simulate the forces that toys and products can/mayexperience during normal use and abuse by children less than three yearsof age. If these forces cause parts to break off that fit in the smallparts cylinder, those parts are deemed to present a risk of choking,aspiration, or ingestion to children less than three years of age.

For this reason, the fingers 250A, 250B of the plug 110A-C areconfigured to plastically deform when a pressure of at least about 48-56lbs. is applied to the plug 110A-C. That is, referring to FIG. 8, thefingers 250A, 250B of the plug 110A-C are resilient, thus they tend toflex whenever a downward force is applied to the plug 110A-C (asindicated by arrows F). As a result, should the plug 110A-C be orientedin its locked position when a user attempts to draw the plug out of thekeyhole 430 with a force of at least about 48-56 lbs., the fingers 250A,250B will plastically deform upward (in a direction D which is oppositeto the force F) and remain intact (i.e., the fingers 250A, 250Bplastically deform to permit removal of the plug 110A-C from the keyhole430, but do not do not break off of the shaft 210), preventing thepotential for formation of small parts as explained above. Manydifferent materials may be utilized to form the shaft 210 and thefingers 250A, 250B of the plug 110A-C, such as different kinds ofplastic and thermoplastics (such as ABS (acrylonitrile butadienestyrene), PPR (polypropylene resin), styrene, nylon, etc.). However inone preferred embodiment, the shaft 210 and the fingers 250A, 250B ofthe plug 110A-C are formed from PPR and shaped such that when a userattempts to draw a locked plug 110A-C out of the keyhole 430 with aforce of at least about 48-56 lbs., the fingers 250A, 250B willplastically deform upward (in a direction D which is opposite to theforce F) and remain intact.

While the invention has been described in detail and with reference tospecific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in theart that various changes and modifications can be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof. For example the base 200may possess any shape and have any suitable dimensions. Though agenerally circular, disc-shaped base 200 is illustrated, other shapesmay be utilized, including but not limited to polygons. The biasingmembers 270A, 270B may be any suitable for their described purpose. Thesupport platform 120 may be formed of any suitable materials, possessany suitable dimensions, and have any suitable shape. Similarly, theport 330 and the guide tracks 340A, 340B may possess any shape of haveany dimensions suitable for their described purposed. For example, whilea guide track is shown in the figures to be an opening (a pass-through),a guide track may also be defined by a recessed area or notch formedinto the support platform 120. The pedestal 440 may possess any suitableshape and have any suitable dimensions. Specifically, the height of thepedestal 440 may be any suitable for its described purpose.

Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modificationsand variations of this invention that come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents. It is to be understood that termssuch as “left”, “right” “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear”, “side”,“height”, “length”, “width”, “upper”, “lower”, “interior”, “exterior”,“inner”, “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describepoints of reference and do not limit the present invention to anyparticular orientation or configuration.

1. A package assembly for a toy product comprising: a toy supportplatform including: a first surface, a second surface, and a passthrough extending from the first surface to the second surface; a toyincluding a keyhole; and a key configured to be inserted into thekeyhole, the key comprising: a base, a shaft extending distally from thebase, wherein the shaft includes: a distal end, a proximal end, and atleast one prong extending transversely from the distal end of the shaft,and at least one integrally-formed biasing member operable to generate abiasing force with respect to the toy product.
 2. The package assemblyof claim 1, wherein the at least one biasing member applies a forcetoward the proximal end of the shaft.
 3. The package assembly of claim1, wherein the at least one biasing member comprises anintegrally-formed spring.
 4. The package assembly of claim 3, whereinthe spring comprises a generally arcuate spring.
 5. The package assemblyof claim 1, wherein the base further comprises a gripping member topermit manipulation of the key.
 6. The package assembly of claim 5,wherein the gripping member comprises a cut-out section formed into thebase of the key.
 7. The package assembly of claim 1, wherein the toysupport platform further includes a guide track operable to receive theat least one biasing member and indicate the at least one prong is in apredetermined position within the toy.
 8. The package assembly of claim1, wherein: the toy product contacts the first surface of the supportplatform; the key is axially inserted into the pass-through and thekeyhole; and the at least one prong of the key is oriented such that itis misaligned with the keyhole thereby locking the toy to the supportplatform.
 9. The package assembly of claim 8, wherein the biasing memberengages the second surface of the support platform to apply a forcesufficient to draw the at least one prong into mechanical contact withthe toy, and to draw the toy toward the base of the key.
 10. The packageassembly of claim 8, wherein: the toy includes a wall having a pedestalextending distally from the wall; and the keyhole is disposed along adistal end of the pedestal.
 11. The package assembly of claim 1, whereinthe toy further comprises: an interior surface; an exterior surface; anda guide tab formed on the interior surface of the toy, wherein the tabis configured to engage the at least one prong and prevent the rotationof the key beyond a predetermined position.
 12. The package assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the keyhole comprises an elongated slot.
 13. Thepackage assembly of claim 8, wherein the at least one prong is formedfrom a plastic material and configured such that it plastically deformsbut remains attached to the key when and force of at least 48 pounds isapplied to the key to pull the key from a misaligned position withrespect to the key hole.
 14. The package assembly of claim 13, whereinthe plastic material is a polypropylene resin.
 15. A method of orientinga toy in packaging, the method comprising: (a) providing a toysupporting platform including a first surface, a second surface, and athrough-hole extending from the first surface to the second surface; (b)providing a key including: a base including at least oneintegrally-formed biasing member operable to apply a biasing force, ashaft extending distally from the base, the shaft including a distal endand a proximal end, and at least one prong extending transversely fromthe distal end of the shaft; (c) providing a toy including a keyholeconfigured to receive the shaft of the key; (d) orienting the toy on thesupporting platform such that the through-hole aligns with the keyhole;(e) axially inserting the distal end of shaft into the through-hole andthe keyhole such that the at least one prong is positioned within thetoy; and (f) rotating the key to orient the at least one prong from afirst position, in which the at least one prong is permitted to exit thetoy, to a second position, in which the at least one prong is retainedwithin the toy.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein: (d) comprises (d.1)orienting the toy on the first surface of the supporting platform and(d.2) orienting the key on the second surface of the supportingplatform; and rotating the key to orient the prong in the secondposition locking the toy to the supporting platform.
 17. The method ofclaim 15, wherein: the toy supporting platform further includes a guidetrack operable to receive the at least one biasing member and toindicate the at least one prong is in a predetermined position; and (f)further comprises rotating the key from the first position, in which theat least one biasing member is not seated in the guide track, to asecond position, in which the at least one biasing member is seated inthe guide track.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein: the toy furthercomprises: an interior surface; an exterior surface; and a guide tabformed on the interior surface of the toy, wherein the guide tab isconfigured to engage the at least one prong and prevent the rotation ofthe key beyond a predetermined position; and (f) further comprisesrotating the key until the at least one prong contacts the guide tab.19. The method of claim 15, wherein: the at least one prong is formedfrom a plastic material and configured such that it plastically deformsbut remains attached to the key when and force of at least 48 pounds isapplied to the key to pull the key from the second position.
 20. Themethod of claim 19, wherein the plastic material is a polypropyleneresin.